Key Economic Events and Data Anticipated This Week: Attention in the United States will centre around Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index data, alongside reports on personal income and spending and statements from several Federal Reserve officials including Chairman Powell.

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Key Economic Events and Data Anticipated This Week

Mixed Performance in Stock Indices at the End of Last Week’s Trading

A decline in Oil Prices at the End of Last Week’s Trading

Key Economic Events and Data Anticipated This Week

Attention in the United States will focus on Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index data,
reports on personal income and spending and statements from several Federal Reserve officials,
including Chairman Powell, which is of significant interest to investors.
Other key data includes durable goods orders, the final reading of the fourth quarter GDP growth,
consumer confidence, corporate earnings, and housing market indicators including new and pending home sales.

Japan will have a busy week with the Bank of Japan’s Summary of Opinions, unemployment rate,
industrial production, and retail sales.
Finally, Canada will release its GDP growth estimates for February.

Mixed Performance in Stock Indices at the End of Last Week’s Trading

In Friday’s trading, U.S. stocks showed mixed performance, with some indices rising and others falling.
Gains were recorded in the technology, utilities, and healthcare sectors,
while the financial, consumer goods and telecommunications sectors suffered losses.

In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed by 0.77%,
the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell by about 0.14%,
and the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by about 0.16%.

Among the leading stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average,
Boeing’s share rose by 0.64%, Apple’s rose by 0.53%, and Amazon.com’s increased by 0.40%.

On the other hand, the number of stocks that declined exceeded the number of stocks that rose on the New York Stock Exchange,
with 1948 stocks declining compared to 917 stocks rising, while 68 stocks remained unchanged.
On the Nasdaq, stocks failed to maintain a clear direction, with some sectors rising and others declining.
Stock performance can be influenced by factors such as economic and political developments,
company results, global events, and investor expectations.

A decline in Oil Prices at the End of Last Week’s Trading

Oil prices fell on Friday, with no significant change over the week,
influenced by expectations of a ceasefire in Gaza while concerns related to the war
in Europe increased after yesterday’s attacks on Russia and a decline in the number of oil drilling rigs in the United States.

Brent crude contracts for May delivery fell by 35 cents to settle at $85.43 a barrel,
while U.S. crude contracts fell by 44 cents to settle at $80.63 a barrel.
Both types of crude recorded a change of less than 1% over the week.

Everyone is awaiting the results of the weekend regarding the ceasefire in Gaza,
with success in peace talks potentially allowing Houthi militants in Yemen to permit oil tankers to pass through the Red Sea.

Regarding the ongoing talks in Qatar, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken,
expressed on Thursday his belief that an agreement to cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas could be reached.

Key Economic Events and Data Anticipated This Week

Key Economic Events and Data Anticipated This Week

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